Congress punts on disaster aid

By

National News

April 10, 2019 - 9:28 AM

WASHINGTON — A partisan deadlock over a disaster relief package showed no signs of easing Tuesday, as the two camps traded barbs over aid for hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico.

Senate Republicans made a new offer over the weekend that Democrats dismissed, weakening prospects for a deal before lawmakers leave town later this week for a two-week Easter recess. President Donald Trump has told Republicans he won’t support additional aid to Puerto Rico beyond an extra $600 million in food assistance that is already included in a GOP-written bill.

“Things look bleak,” said Senate Appropriations Chairman Richard C. Shelby who held talks in recent days with Democrats and the White House. “But you never know. Sometimes there’s a storm before the sun comes up.”

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